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Hi there. I've read through the forum and although i've found information about car insurance none fault claims. Im aware every claim is different. Just wondering if there's anyone else out there, who can offer me help and advice, if youve been in a situation like mine? Appologies for the length of my post too.

6 years ago, i bought and paid for in full, a ford fusion. Only 1 year old ( i dont believe in taking out finance) Happily tooting around in my car, believing it would last me for at least another 7 to 10 years. (my previous car lasted 17 !)

4 Weeks ago, while my car was parked outside my friends house, we heard a large bang. After running up the path to the road. There in all horror, was my little vehicle all smashed up along the passenger side. No culprit in sight, but for a ford wheel trim, as evidence of the third party vehicle.

My friends partner, rushed to get his shoes on , grabbed his car keys and shot off down the road, to find a "ford something or other" who may have pulled over, to check their damaged vehicle
.
We then set about , trying to call the police, but due to shock, tears and such, we couldn't find the none emergency number .

20 mins later there was a knock at the door. The culprit , a ford van driver, had returned. In his words.... "he was having a bad day, was late for a job, a pigeon flew out .... and he smashed into my car."
So, if he could leave his details with me, he needed to nip back the the little tesco's down the road, as he thought he'd left his phone there. Then he would be back to pick up my details.
And that's what happened.
Clearly all a lie. He was late for a job, wanted to phone whoever. Started looking for his phone, took his eyes off the road, smashed into my car, left the scene to get his story straight, could only come up with a fictitious pigeon, and then came back.

An hour later, I managed to drive my car home slowly, and called my insurance company to let them know. They were going to arrange a curtosey car for me and start the insurance snizzle they have to do.

curtosy car did indeed turn up and im mobile again. My fusion was picked up and went to the garage for its assesment. outcome. it will cost £3.908 to fix

So it now transpires, my car has been written off. The salvage company will only give me £3.500. Which im aware, they can only give you what they think the car is worth (this is my second price, i refused the first offer thanks to this sites advice - bonus !!!! )

My insurance company AXA are only interested in a settlement to close the case. not at all interested in my loss or chasing anything from the third party insurance. Or in fact doing anything at all

This doesn't give me the money i need to buy a new car. Now as much as i'll begrudgingly have to accept this. my questions are :-

1) I didnt do anything wrong, so why should i now have to, take out finance for a new car, when i would still be tooting around in my ford fusion, if this idiot hadnt smashed into it.

2) should i take this up with the small claims court, or solicitor , for the difference between the £3500 and what it will cost me. to buy a similar car for 1 years old. (bearing in mind that i wasnt expecting this and dont have enough savings to buy another car outright)

3) Should i be doing something else , or looking at alternatives, to re-coupe my losses.

i really do feel like i've just been left high and dry, with no help from my insurance company what so ever. (they wont answer these questions) Its as though i have to pay out for someone else's carelessness

In the mean time, ive now got Enterprise ( the car rental company) chasing/harassing me, as to how long i need the curtosey car for and the salvage company , wanting an answer on their offer of £3.500

All helpful advice from anyone who's been in THIS situation, would really be appreciated, Its so upsetting and i really don't know what to do for the best

2) should i take this up with the small claims court, or solicitor , for the difference between the £3500 and what it will cost me. to buy a similar car for 1 years old. (bearing in mind that i wasnt expecting this and dont have enough savings to buy another car outright)

You are only entitled to be put back into your position at the time of the incident. If the cost of repair is low enough in relation to it's value at the time of the incident you get your car fixed. If it is written off you are only entitled to as much money as your car was worth at the time of the incident. You won't get very far trying to claim for more money.

You will just have to source another car that you can afford with what you have after the insurance payout.

3, as already advised, speak to your insurer, but from the sounds of your wants, you need to be a bit more realistic in understanding what they are there to do, which is give you the amount that the car was worth immediately prior to the accident.

You may have legal cover, which will claim back your excess and any other reasonable losses.

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